Golf Q&A with Daril: Hitting the ball heavy in the bunker

Teaching professional Daril Pacinella, is a certified TPI Fitness Instructor and is the director of instruction at his academy located at Longhi’s Golf Facility in Southwick.

He has been a golf professional for more than 30 years and was nominated as part of Golf Magazine’s Top 100 instructors in America.

Daril’s weekly "Question and Answer" series will appear each Thursday at www.masslive.com/golf. Pacinella is the host of “In the Bunker with Daril Pacinella” each Friday from 4-5 p.m. on Springfield’s ESPN affiliate WHLL 1450 AM, and his web site is www.darilpacinellagolfacademy.com

This week's question:
Dear Daril

Could you help me get out of the bunker I always hit it heavy and leave the ball in the bunker.

Emily

Hi Emily,

The biggest problem people have when leave the ball in the bunker is the ball is usually too far back in the stance which creates to steep of a backswing which then causes to steep of a downswing causing the club to dig to deeply into the sand.

Here's what I would suggest Emily. First play the ball more forward in your stance, rather than in the center of your stance. ( just inside your left heel would be good ).Second, I want you to setup to the ball and get more into a sitting position rather than a normal setup position ( feel like your sitting in a chair ) this will keep more of your weight on your backside helping you not to swing the club to steeply into the ball. By doing these two things this should help you get the ball out of the bunker on the first attempt.

Have fun and enjoy the game

Daril

Send your golf questions to Daril and if he answers yours, it will be published on the masslive.com website every Thursday in the golf section of the sports page. The article will also be read live on Daril's radio show '' In the Bunker " with Daril on ESPN radio 1450 am the Hall on Fridays from 4-5 p.m. In addition, you will receive a dozen golf balls from Callaway compliments of Mike Perreault.